An overview of the European Fusion Programme is given and its near-term and long-term strategies are outlined. With the long-term energy problem worldwide as background, the role of thermonuclear fusion research is discussed in the context of energy sources having the potential to supply a substantial fraction of the electrical energy needs in the future.The European Fusion Programme, which is designed to lead in due course to the joint construction of prototypes with a view to their industrial production and marketing, is implemented by a sliding programme concept, i.e. through five-year programmes which overlap for about two years.The main objectives of the proposed 1987–1991 programme are outlined, with emphasis on the role of the Next Step (a Next European Torus or an International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), of the JET Joint Undertaking, of the Associated Laboratories, and of the European industry; and on the importance of international cooperation which has been established by bilateral framework agreements on fusion, by several multilateral implementing agreements in the frame of the IEA (OECD), and by the quadripartite cooperation of EURATOM, Japan, USA and USSR in the conceptual design of an International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor under the auspices of the IAEA.
欧州核融合計画の概要を示し、その短期および長期戦略を概説する。世界的な長期的エネルギー問題を背景として、将来の電力需要のかなりの部分を賄いうるエネルギー源としての核融合研究の役割について考察する。欧州核融合計画は、最終的には原型炉の共同建設とその工業的製造・市場化を目指すものであり、約2年間重複する5年計画というスライディング方式によって実施される。提案された1987年から1991年までの計画の主な目的を概説し、次段階装置（次期欧州トーラスまたは国際熱核融合実験炉）、JET共同事業、関連研究所、および欧州産業界の役割に重点を置く。さらに、IAEAの主催の下での国際熱核融合実験炉の概念設計における、二国間枠組み協定、IEA（OECD）の枠組みにおける多国間実施協定、ならびにEURATOM・日本・米国・ソ連の四者協力による国際協力の重要性についても述べる。